She keeps young cast on its toesJennifer Markham's job description as children's coordinator at Boston Ballet, a position she started in August, might sound simple: scheduling children's rehearsals, attending events with students, and overseeing their rehearsals and performances. But now that everything's underway for "The Nutcracker," with more than 250 students age 8 to 18 in three casts starting performances on Friday, that job means juggling a wide array of minutiae.

Sweet on the ‘Nutcracker’ - Young ballerinas leap at their chance to shine in big Boston production....The tradition of children in “The Nutcracker” extends back to the work’s premiere, allowing generations of students to prepare for professional careers. Nearly 100 children, drawn from the ranks of the Boston Ballet’s three schools in Boston, Newton and Norwell, will be on stage with members of the ballet company ...Jared Redick, Boston Ballet soloist and principal of the Boston Ballet School in Norwell, will dance alongside the children he teaches.

A sweet and spirited 'Nutcracker'Choreographed by artistic director Mikko Nissinen, the company's version of this beloved classic sports vivid, imaginative scenery by Helen Pond and Herbert Senn, elaborate, often whimsical costumes by David Walker and Charles Heightchew, and captivating special effects .... However, the production also features substantive choreography and, in last evening's opening night performance at the Opera House, some exquisite dancing.

Boston Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ is still a treat for kids of all ages....Continuing with the choreography first presented by Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen in 2003, the ensemble rolled out the timeless story of Clara and her magical Christmas present with formidable artistry. Of course there were comic turns and gags galore for the kids, but this “Nutcracker” has plenty for the adults as well.

Nissinen has given the story a straightforward energy that brings clarity to its very thin plot.

Next fall, Boston Ballet will move all its performing operations to the Opera House from Citi Performing Arts Center's immense and unfriendly Wang Theatre. The transfer can't come a moment too soon. We've had previews of what the company will look like during ... The Nutcracker at the Opera House.... In this setting the holiday perennial looks better than ever — cleaner, tighter, and above all more human.

A prince of a dancerAt the age of 20, Henoch Spinola landed the role of the Cavalier, the Nutcracker Prince, in José Mateo Ballet Theatre's "The Nutcracker." Spinola, who is of Cape Verdean descent and graduated from Lexington High School in 2006, has been dancing since the age of 10. He endured years of teasing for being a ballet dancer, only to emerge in his strongest role yet.

You’ll go nuts for ‘Urban Nutcracker’Tchaikovsky’s great ballet “The Nutcracker” was meant to be a dance party, right? So why not invite Sir Duke, bring a bunch of friends from the block and have a real party?

In a nutshell, that’s the premise behind BalletRox’s “Urban Nutcracker,” which began its eighth season celebrating diversity Friday night at John Hancock Hall.

Mateo’s ‘Nutcracker’ a suite treatGive Jose Mateo lots of credit. After all, he does the same with his audiences.

Mateo’s “The Nutcracker,” which began its seasonal run at Brandeis University’s Spingold Theatre this past weekend, does what few companys manage to do with Tchaikovsky’s great ballet: keep dancing in the forefront, keep goofs and gags to a minimum, and ensure everyone goes home happy, without watering down the sophisticated artistry the score offers.

Mixed nuts - Ballet Rox's Urban NutcrackerBallet Rox's Urban Nutcracker, the ultimate multicultural Christmas celebration, has become so inclusive, it's almost a blur. The cultural identities are mostly intact, but there's so much going on around them that you can lose track of the reason they're all on the same stage together. Maybe it doesn't matter. The show ... is a lot of fun, and it takes its highbrow heritage with a bucket of salt.

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